About Local History and Family History Resources  

Newspapers
We have three local newspapers, the Brighton Herald (1806-1970), Brighton Gazette (1825-1980) and the Argus (1880-current) as well as a number of Sussex newspapers. The newspapers are on microfilm and you will need to book a machine (01273 296971/2) in order to view them. Photocopies can be made from the film.

Street Directories (Brighton 1799-1974 incomplete)
If you are studying family history or the history of your house, these will prove invaluable. We also have a large number of directories for towns and villages in Sussex.
At present, copies can only made with the use of a digital camera.

Electoral Registers
These are another very useful resource when used with the street directories. However many were not entitled to the vote until 1918 when all men and certain categories of women qualified.

Pamphlets The Centre has a vast range of pamphlets and ephemera which cover everything from swimming baths to cemeteries.

Books
There is a large stock of local history books which cover both Brighton and Sussex locations. Other subjects include Brighton churches, entertainment, transport, health, crime and schools. We also have a wide range of books relating to the tracing of family history.

Periodicals We have a wide range of periodicals dating from the 1880s to the present day. Amongst the collection is the Brighton & Hove Society magazine (1889 – 1926) which includes articles about the social scene in Brighton, fashion illustrations and tips on motoring. Current publications reflect the Brighton Museum and Art Gallery collections such as ‘Arts of Asia’ and ‘Current Archaeology’.

Rare Material Much of this stock predates 1850 and has such treasures as the 1820s visitor books for Sake Dean Mahomed’s steam baths and early Brighton guide books when the town was in its earliest phase as a seaside resort. You can access the rare books in two ways: either with a day pass (proof of signature and address – within the last three months) or a five year pass for which you will also need two passport photos.

Websites
For family historians we have free access to Ancestry.com and Findmypast (census returns, births/marriages/deaths, military records etc). Computers need to be booked (01273 296971/2) and are free to use. Photocopies can be made from the on-line records.

Maps The development of Brighton is well illustrated in our collection of maps. The earliest, 1779, shows the area as a small fishing village with just a farmhouse where the Royal Pavilion is now located. We also have a collection of large scale maps from the 1870s which shows the town in great detail including garden features such as summer houses and conservatories. Our most recent Ordnance Survey map of the city dates from 1995.

Goad maps
We also have Goad Fire Insurance maps from the late 19th to the mid 20th century. These show the construction material, street numbers and sometimes the occupants of the properties. Goad maps from 1973 onwards list the occupants of commercial premises.

Visits A wide range of groups use the Centre including schools, community groups, students and the U3A.  Please feel free to contact us if you would like to organise a visit. In the past, we have held a series of talks by the archivist at East Sussex Record Office and we hope to run talks about aspects of the history of Brighton in the near future. Previous talks, Brighton 1914 – 1965, were very well attended.

Oral History
The most recent additions to the History Centre are three listening points. Visitors can listen in comfort to the fascinating memories of Brightonians.

Film
Screen Archive South East has provided us with films of Brighton taken during the 19th and 20th centuries. Films include the Promettes of the 1950s, early films made in Hove and the visit of King George V to the Indian Hospital in 1915. These can be watched on a monitor in the Centre.

Theatre / Cinema programmes We have material for most of the cinemas and theatres which operated in Brighton and Hove. The collection includes a dance card and fan from the Regent Dance Hall and a programme from a 1890s ‘Burlesque’ show at the Brighton Aquarium.

Photographs The Centre has a small number of photographs of Brighton but access to the Museum’s collection of thousands of images can be arranged via us. Specific photographic enquiries, either for access to material or to order copies can be made via objectimages@brighton-hove.gov.uk

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